This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Netgear WPN802v2 router.
Other Netgear WPN802v2 Guides
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WPN802v2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Reset the Netgear WPN802v2
- Netgear WPN802v2 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WPN802v2 router
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 User Manual
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 Login Instructions
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WPN802v2
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 Screenshots
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Information About the Netgear WPN802v2 Router
What is the DNS setting on a Router
When you connect a router to the Internet it gets a few settings from your ISP automatically. One of the settings that the ISP sets in your router is the DNS setting. DNS stands for Domain Name System and it is used to convert Internet names into actual IP addresses. For instance, when you go to "google.com", your are really connecting to an IP address that is mapped through DNS to a number such as:
- 173.194.33.73
This mapping happens automatically every time you visit any page on the Internet.
Why Change Your Router's DNS Setting
Some ISPs choose to abuse the DNS system and map unknown names to servers that they control. This can be done in a way that you don't know it is happening since your router is getting its DNS settings from your ISP. For instance, if you have one of these ISPs who is hijacking your DNS, and you try to surf the web to "some-random-site.com" and "some-random-site.com" does not exist, you might get a page back from your ISP with local advertisements on it.
By changing your DNS setting in your router you will effectively change the DNS setting for every computer on your network. This is because when a device is connected to your network your router automatically hands out its own DNS settings to that device. This way you can protect your entire network from ISP hijacking with just one setting.
What Should I Change My DNS To
There are 2 really great DNS servers on the Internet that you can choose from right now: Google Public DNS and OpenDNS. If you are not sure which one to pick then just use Google Public DNS.
When you change the DNS settings in your router, you usually have to enter a Primary and a Secondary setting. The secondary is only used if the primary can not be located. Here are common settings:
If you want to use Google Public DNS, use the following settings:
- Primary: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary: 8.8.4.4
If you want to use OpenDNS, use the following settings:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
Login To The Netgear WPN802v2
To get started configuring the Netgear WPN802v2 DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Netgear WPN802v2, follow our Netgear WPN802v2 Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Netgear WPN802v2
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
Beginning on the General page of the Netgear WPN802v2 router, tick the choice on the left side of the page labeled Basic Settings, found under Setup.
Configure the DNS section of your Netgear WPN802v2
You should now be on a page that looks very similar to the one you see here. In the section titled IP Address you will first have to Disable the DHCP Client.
Next, in the boxes labeled Primary DNS, enter the primary address of the DNS Server you want to use. The address entered here is the one that is always checked first.
The boxes below that are titled Secondary DNS. Enter the secondary address of that same DNS Server here. This address is a back-up address and only ever used if the primary address can't be found.
That's all there is to it, simply click the button labeled Apply and you are finished.
Possible Problems when Changing your DNS settings
Most devices on your network will not begin using the new DNS settings until they have been rebooted. After rebooting a device you can go to it's network settings and verify that it is using the DNS servers that you specified.
Other Netgear WPN802v2 Info
Don't forget about our other Netgear WPN802v2 info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WPN802v2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Reset the Netgear WPN802v2
- Netgear WPN802v2 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WPN802v2 router
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 User Manual
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 Login Instructions
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WPN802v2
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Netgear WPN802v2 Screenshots
- Netgear WPN802v2 - Information About the Netgear WPN802v2 Router